Remote-control switch for pumping systems



Feb. 10, 1931. F. E. ROBINSON 1,792,245

REMOTE CONTROL SWITCH FOR PUMPING SYSTEMS Filed June 23, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1/ I, I 2s 2L 27a T ler'cj k Jnmnfoo Feb; 10, 1931.

F. E. ROBINSON REMOTE CONTROL SWITCH FOR PUMPING SYSTEMS Filed June 23, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gnwnkoc Patented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK E. ROBINSON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BOTAWASHER CORPORATION, 01 CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OI OHIO REMOTE-CONTROL SWITCH FOR PUMPING SYSTEMS Application filed June 23,

This invention relates to a combined valve and electric switch enabling the closing or opening of a conduit for fluid concurrently with the closing or opening of a switch controlling an electric motor operating a pump for forcingliquid through such conduit. An illustration of such a hydraulic system is found in a machine for washing motor cars,- trucks and other vehicles, such machine com- 10, prising a motor, a pump driven thereby, a

hose and nozzle supplied by the pump and suitable controls for the water conduit and motor.

It is the object of my invention to supply in a very simple and efiicient form, a shut-ofi valve associated with a push button switch, so combined, that the opening of the valve results in the operation of the push button to cause the closing of the motor circuit to operate the pump, while the closing of the valve to shut ofi the water results in the push button bein freed to cause the opening of the motor circuit. Although the valve and switch operate concurrently, it is preferable that the valve be somewhat open before the motor circuit is closed, and that the motor circuit be open before the valve is entirely closed, so that there will be no danger of. the motor attempting to drive the pump when the latter has no outlet,lthereby straining the motor. 7

A feature of my invention is that it employs a standard valve and a standard push button control. With these I have incorporated very simple parts which cause the automatic conjoint operation stated.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a washing system involving my in vention Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation partly sectional of the valve and push button control; Fig.3 is a ers'pective illustrating the ush-button switch and my attachment there-. or; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section throu h the valve and push button control at rig t angles to Fig. 2, as indicated by the line 4-4 on that figure; Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the push button control as indicated by the line '5-5 on 4. I

Referring first to ig. 1, A indicates a pump, B a feed pipe leading thereto,'C the 1928. Serial 110. 287,875.

connected with the pump A. This motor is shown as controlled by a solenoid starting switch J, which may have a solenoid magnet i, a switch arm 9'1, and various contacts with resistance as indicated at 7'2. K indicates the push button control, generally. Suitable circuits L lead from this control to the solenoid switch, the motor and one of the supply lines, while circuits M lead from the solenoid switch to the motor and the other supply line. a

F requentlyon the discharge line from the pump there will be several valves D controlling corresponding discharge hose and nozzles. Associated with each of such valves will be a corresponding push button control K. It is not deemed necessary to show the installation in multiple, as that will be understood, and as my invention relates particuhandle 12 mounted on the stem of this plug entirely open position shown in Fig. 4, and in full lines in Fig. 2, to the closed position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 2.

The ush button control K may comprise a suitahle box 20 containing an insulating block 21 (Fig. 2) on which are mounted a pair of contacts 22 and 23 constituting terminals of the two lines L. The insulating block 21 is shown as carrying a cross bar 25 in which is slidably mounted a stem 26 carrying .a metallic cross head 27 adapted to bridge across the two contacts 22 and 23. On the end of the stem is a suitable head 28, within which is a compression spring 29 bearing against the plate 25 and tending to push the button outwardl to maintain the contacts open. The switc box has a cover is adapted to give it a quarter turn from the the stem normally presses the cross head inwardly toward an insulating stop 27 0 on the stem. This stop pulls the cross head entirely free from the contacts when the spring 29 acts to push the head 28 outwardly.

Such a push button switch as just described is on the market intended for manual operation to control a circuit as desired. To combine such push button with the valve, I provide the mechanism new to be described.

I mount on the cover plate 24 of the push button switch, a flexible strip 30 extending lengthwise of the switch box and engaging the face of the push button. This flexible strip may comprise one or more surmounting steel ribbons which may besecured in place by screws 31. The same screws may be used to secure the strip to the cover and the cover to the box 20, as shown in Fig. 2. I secure to the side of the box K a suitable stirrup 35 which may embrace the discharge pipe E and hold the box in place. The stirrup is shown as securedby screws 36 passing into the side wall 20 of the box.

Positioned in the same longitudinal plane with the ribbon 30, is a suitable cam 40 rigid with the valve plug. I find it convenient to make this cam in the form of an extension of the plug handle 12, and such is the form shown in Fig. 4, although, if desired, the cam may be a separate member rigidly secuied to either the handle or the plug of the va ve. 4

In the normal closing position of the valve,

as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 2, the cam 40 is entirely free from the ribbon 30 and the spring 29 maintains the push button in its outermost position so' that the electric circuit to the pump is open. Now, when the shown in Fig. 2, toward the dotted line position. The first action of such movement is to release the push button so that the current to the motor is broken, and thereafter, as the handle comes into its final transverse position, the valve is entirely closed.

It will be noticed that the box 20 extends from the push button farther in one direction than the other. This is a customary formv as it enables the same box to be used for I a double push button, simply the original parts and a new cover plate being used when it has but one push button. A longer box however is advantageous in my operation, because the longer strip 30 requires a less bending moment within the strip. The strips shown are considerably exaggerated in thickness in the drawing for clearness of illustration. In practice, I find it satisfac tory -to make these strips of about five thou sandths or six thousandths of an inch in thickness, and I prefer to use tw o surmounting strips and secure the inner one tightly only at one end,'leaving it slidably other end.

It will be observed that, on the installation shown, that there is no valve on thenozzle itself, and accordingly it is necessary for each operator when he is through using the water to shut it off at the corresponding valve D, and such action operates the control which, would shut off the motor as'far as he is concerned. In a multiple installation, whether the motor is actually shut off depends on whether the other valves are opened or closed, as it would require theclosing of all the valves to shut off the motor, although the opening of any one would be sufficient to start the motor.

I claim;

1. The combination of a push button controlling device, a flexible strip overlying the push button, and a cam adapted to engage and slide along the'strip to operate the push button.

2. The combination of a push button controlling device, a flexible strip overlying the push button, an adjacent valve, and a cam movable with the valve and adapted to engage the strip to operate the push button.

3. The combination of a control box having suitable terminals, a push button adapted when pushed inwardly to connect said terminals, a spring tending to push the button outwardly, a cover for the box, a flexible guided at the metal strip secured to the cover and overlying the push button and adapted to be pushed outwardly by said spring, and means to engage the stri and push it inwardly to operate the push utton.

4. In a cam operated push button switch, a flexible strip adapted to be secured at its extremities tothe face of a switch housing, one side of'said strip being in contact with the push button, whereby the switch may be operated by a cam exerting force upon said strip.

5. In a cam operated push button switch, a plurality of resilient strips lying in juxtaposition to each other, one of said strips being ada ted to be secured at its extremities to the ace of the switch housing, and the remainder of said strips being ada ted to be secured at one extremity only to sai housmg,

said strips overlying the push button whereby a force exerted upon the strips W111 operate the switch.

- 6. The combination of acontrol box having suitable terminals, a push button adapted when pushed inwardly to connect said terminals, a spring tending to push the button outwardly, a cover for the box, a lurality of the push utton and metal strips, overlyin adapted to be pushed outwardly by said spring, the outside strip being secured at both extremities to said cover, the remaining strips being secured at one extremity onl and means to engage said strips and pus them inwardly to operate said push button.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

FREDERICK E. ROBINSON. 

